The amount which had been obtained from the cargo was divided as agreed before starting: twenty-five shares were set apart for the king, twenty-five shares were divided between the two leaders, and each soldier and sailor had one share.

All were well satisfied with the success of the adventure, and with the damage which they had inflicted upon the Danes.
A fortnight's leave was given, for the men to visit their homes, and the money which they had gained in their trip was of great use to their friends in enabling them to repair the damages effected by the Danes.
Not a man was absent at the appointed time, and the Dragon again made her way down to the sea.
It was midwinter now, and they cruised along the southern coast of England without perceiving a single hostile sail.

They lay for a week off the mouth of the Thames, and then saw four large Danish vessels making their way down the river.

They were all vessels of the largest size, strongly built, and full of men, and the Saxons judged them to be too strong to be attacked in company.

The Northmen, on seeing the golden dragon flying at the mast-head of the Saxon ship, at once made towards her, keeping in a close body; but the Dragon with sails and oars easily left them behind, and the Danes giving up the pursuit continued on their way.
The Dragon fell into their wake and followed at a distance, hoping that one might prove slower than the others, or that they might in the night get separated.